Reverse I have a 2003 BEETLE. Quite often when attempting to put the car into reverse it wont allow me to. I know the basic troubleshooting procedures, clutch all the way in, putting it back into neutral then trying again... something just is too stubborn about reverse in my car. What could be wrong?

It could be worn synchros in the transmission (hopefully not, as that requires disassembly of the gearshafts inside the transmission). Try changing the transmission fluid - Audi and VW claim "lifetime" fluid for the transmission that never needs servicing, but I've changed 75k mile fluid that looked horrendous.

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I forget the name, but it could be the shift connecttion. It the connection point behind the shifter in the car and the transmission. The port disconnected mine in my car cause they couldn't figure out how to shift it. It basically put the car into nuetral. No forward no reverse. But engine runs fine.

For this car, it can be really pricy or you can take my advise. I would recommend that you remove the 1 or 2 screws located on the reverse side of the shifter!. once you do this, you basically deactivate a safety device that is preventing you from shifting your car into gear! The safety device basically will not allow you to shift until you press firmly on the breaks and the key is installed. TAKE IT FROM AN EXPERT who has been there done that hundreds of times. you can find the screws on the reverse side of the shifter, just feel for them with your fingers

i will explain the basics 1st gear and reverse gear are on the same shaft/movement.but i suspect in this case the problem is a little bushen on the shift it should not be a costly item to replace.adrian,,,,

I have a 1998 and I just confronted the same problem. It seems to take like 1 gear in reserve and like 2 gear in 1 gear. Any thoughts? I don't really it should be the transmission since it still works going forward in 2 different gears. Thanks.

let me guess...it will go into 3rd and 4th...but it wont engage 1st 2nd and 5th....well the problem is in the linkage. its a $35 part that u could probably fixx...call the dealer and tell them whats going on...nd tell them u know its part of the linkage..to be specific its the end of the shift cable where it goes into the transmission..it should be no more than $35...ur welcome